Virginia's Historic Foodie Road Trip: 8 Iconic Stops Blending Culinary Heritage and Innovation
From George Washington to the Inn at Little Washington—the only three-star Michelin listing in the 2019 DC area guide—Virginia boasts three centuries of edible American history, plus millennia of indigenous bounty. Its fertile soil and waterways produce delicious native foods, amplified by local culinary ingenuity. Plan a foodie pilgrimage with these eight essential stops.
The Red Fox Inn & Tavern
Founded in 1728 in Middleburg's historic village, this is one of Virginia's—and America's—oldest continuously operating inns. Joseph Chinn built the fieldstone tavern for travelers, including surveyor George Washington.
Chinn's Ordinary has witnessed American history: a Civil War hospital (its Tap Room bar was an operating table), and a retreat for elites like John F. Kennedy, Jackie, Liz Taylor, and Senator John Warner. Join the legacy with pistachio-onion-mint-crusted pork chops or crispy fried chicken with country gravy—stay overnight or dine in.
The Jefferson Heritage Trail
George Washington championed wine at Mount Vernon, but Thomas Jefferson, his Secretary of State, was America's founding foodie and vinophile. Explore his passion along the 80-mile Jefferson Heritage Trail from Monticello to Poplar Forest.
Key stops: The Virginia Distillery Co. in Lovingston, crafting whisky (note the spelling) with Old and New World methods—try the award-winning Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky.
Crown Orchard in Covesville, run by four Chiles generations, spans seven orchards. Iconic Carter Mountain Orchard offers pick-your-own summer fruits.
Don't miss Monticello, Jefferson's plantation, with its restored vegetable garden documenting hundreds of varieties. Join a Gardens and Grounds Tour, then savor Jefferson-inspired dishes at Farm Table Café, like rosemary-roasted mushrooms with braised greens, pickled onions, and local cheese on Albemarle Baking Company baguette.
Virginia Wine Trails
Washington and Jefferson's vision of premier Virginia wines has flourished, earning praise from José Andrés and Wine Spectator. With numerous trails, focus on the Monticello Wine Trail—America's wine birthplace—in Jefferson's backyard.
Highlights among 33 wineries: Veritas Vineyard & Winery for four-course wine-paired dinners; Blenheim Vineyards, owned by Dave Matthews with Virginia Green certification; Thistle Gate Vineyard's acclaimed Chardonnay Reserve.
Complement with the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail along the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Visit Ingleside Vineyards at Oak Grove (gold medal 2015 Petit Verdot, 2017 Pinot Grigio, 2017 Albariño). Also, The Dog and Oyster in Irvington pairs wines with local oysters and boasts a massive corkscrew.
Merroir at Rappahannock Oyster Co.
Captain John Smith found Chesapeake oysters "thick as stones" in 1608; Crassostrea virginica became Virginia's hallmark. After depletion, Rappahannock Oyster Company revived them since 2001.
"Each river bend imparts unique flavors from salinity, minerals, and algae," says owner Travis Croxton. "Virginia is the Napa Valley of oysters." Taste at their Topping riverside room: raw or grilled oysters like garlic butter-swaddled or briny Olde Salts, paired with brews or wines. Extend via the Virginia Oyster Trail to Little Wicomico Oyster Co. (since 1930) or Ward Oyster Co. (10-12 million oysters).
Colonial Garden and Nursery
The New York Times named Colonial Williamsburg a 2019 top destination for its 400th anniversary, but foodies love the Colonial Garden and Nursery reviving forgotten vegetables like turkey cucumber (a melon for salads) and cardoon (artichoke cousin). Gardeners like Eve Otmar reference colonists' letters.
Taste at Café Provençal at Williamsburg Winery: Beetroot Wellington or smoked lamb tartare with garden veggies. Save room for spiced fruit brioche with spiced wine gel.
The Shack
The Shenandoah Valley, with four top ag counties, shines at this Staunton gem. James Beard-nominated chef Ian Boden fuses his wife's Appalachian roots and Eastern European heritage, inspired by Virginia legend Edna Lewis.
Boden's blancmange reimagines Lewis's custard with Virginia peanuts and wild wineberries.
Taste of Smithfield
Smithfield ham, dry salt-cured, smoked, and aged, is protected by 1926 Virginia law. In downtown Smithfield, pass the Porcine Parade hog statues to Taste of Smithfield on the Salty Southern Route.
Drive 20 miles to Suffolk for Mr. Peanut statue, Planters' adopted home.
The Inn at Little Washington
This tasting-menu haven earned the DC area's first three Michelin stars. Savor "Marriage of Virginia Bison" or "A Date with Squash," ending with chocolate-hazelnut mousse napoleon.
